OUCH, you may get away with a thrust bearing on the crank, that may in turn have stopped the water pump from doing it's thing long enough to cause your coolant problem. I am not familiar with the engine, just my two cents. Don't know what could have caused such a failure at so few miles.

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83 SD

84 CD

A broken crankshaft pulley or is the actual crankshaft snout busted off? Didn't someone else have that problem not too long ago?

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DJ


84 300D Turbodiesel 190K with 4 speed manual sold in 03/2012

Typical mechanic. Has the solution before even starting the investigation into the problem.

I'll bet $100. that the crankshaft is not broken. It appears that the front crankshaft pulley may have come loose and the belt lost tension. This resulted in no rotation on the water pump and the engine overheated.

Further investigation is necessary to determine the extent of the problem.

If the bottom end is damaged in any way..........crankshaft, pistons etc.........it's not financially prudent to fix this vehicle unless the body is absolutely pristine. The replacement cost of the vehicle is typically between $5K-$7K. Spending this amount on the engine is not prudent.

If you can locate a replacement engine for approx. $1.5K and spend another $1.5K to have it installed in the vehicle...........that's a prudent decision.

S#%* happens...very sorry.

If this car is mint otherwise, its probably worth putting in another motor. Find a wrecked one...the sds thread comes to mind. I think he bought the car back for $450 and brought it backto life with a donor body.
A Star is Born, Again! (the 300 SDS is BACK!)

Otherwise, part the thing out and make some money to buy another one.

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1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

If I liked the car, I would probably toss a new (reman) engine into it. The $5K-$7K "replacement" vehicle would not have a fresh engine. I would rather spend $10K on something known than take my chances on a used car that's probably going to have the usual couple $1000 worth of nits to clean up anyway. I don't know that driving one of these cars is ever "financially prudent."

Agreed. This car has some attachment as well because its been in the family since new. I know if my SL was hit with a wrecking ball I would still fix it.

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1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

We were discussing what's "financially prudent"........not what's "emotionally desirable"............

That was my point, if we cared what was "financially prudent" we would all be driving civics. These things are hobbies.

Well, to a point. If they are truly hobbies than no expense is spared. A crate engine with $8K in paint and $3K in upholstery is perfectly acceptable. But, few of us are in that category. Therefore, the decision of "prudent" is variable depending on how much of a hobby the vehicle actually is.

These three get prudent financial decisions..........money is not spent with reckless abandon simply because they are considered "hobbies".

I agree that a Civic is the most prudent financial decision, however, if the procurement of a M/B is the given, there are many different paths an owner can take. Personally, I don't think a crate engine is prudent for these vehicles. When another M/B with lower mileage and better maintenance can be found for similar money to the crate engine, it's difficult to put money into a crate engine unless one is emotionally attached to the vehicle.

I sure hope my wife never reads that.

I wouldn't consider spending less than the cost of a new Kia on an engine "reckless abandon." What's the point of owning these if you are not going to preserve them?

A used engine might be a reasonable compromise, but it would make me nervous to put $3K into an engine without a known history.

I'm not that attached to them. I'd rather find a better example for $10K, if I can, with low miles, rather than put $8K in an engine. The remainder of the vehicle still has issues related to its high mileage and they could add another $3K to the already exorbitant cost.

On a rebuilt engine, you've got no assurance that it will go the same distance as the factory engine. If it goes 200K, you've probably done well. The cost per mile is very high with such an engine.

CaoYong, I think fixing it is a good decision. A rebuilt engine from one of the MB specialists or a factory rebuilt, at the high end of cost. If you can wait and look for a nice used engine with a warranty, will be the best way. Look for 2 or 3 bids, from other shops who do this type of Mercedes work. You may even have to ship the car to them, as it may the best and most cost effective way to go. Don't let somebody touch your car if they have no Mercedes experience. It will cost you more in the end.

Good Luck

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SONNY was right...Nobody Cares.
Calogero, from the movie, "A BRONX TALE."

Well, that's about $.05/per mile if it only goes 200K miles. I do take your point though, I'm actually leaning towards a crate engine from the dealer when the time comes. But, what's the alternative, a used engine that only has 100K left or to switch cars every couple of 100K miles? If we are going to do that, we might as well just drive a new one and trade it in every 5 years (no thanks).

So the mechanic (who happens to be a MB specialist - from Germany) said that you cannot buy a new engine anymore (is this correct?). He also is estimating a used engine acquisition/install at around $5k. Given the numbers I am hearing you guys throw around for a used engine, this sounds high.

With the burnt smell, and the visual examination of the crankshaft/pulley, he suggested not doing a lot of diagnosis, as that would simply drive up the cost of repair. My gut feeling is that the guy is hontest, and I feel compelled to trust him. Maybe my trust is unfounded.

I do have a second referral to another MB specialist. Maybe I should get a second opinion.

My dealer told me he could get a 617 turbo crate engine for about $7K (yours would probably be more). That's not "new" its a benz remanufactured engine with a warrantee (I would call the dealer to check on your engine. Also, these guys will sell you a long block for $8K:

http://www.mercedesengines.net/products.asp?cat=43